—Within the F-Rank Gate "Goblin Plains"—
"Skakaka!"
From out of the shrubbery, a short green figure lunged at Von.
"A Goblin," Von mused without turning toward the pungent creature. "How nostalgic."
In the next instant, the Goblin's head disconnected from the rest of its child-sized body.
Von retracted the pointy stick in his hand, his focus now on the screen flashing before him.
[Lvl 1 Goblin Slain]
[EXP +2]
[Title Path Unlocked: Slay 50 Goblins (1/50)]
"To think there'd come a day when I'd be the one gathering my own experience points."
Von didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
For as long as he could remember, he had made use of his Horde to farm EXP. It was far more efficient after all.
"Speaking of which, it's about time I begin rebuilding my army."
Staring at the decapitated Goblin corpse, a sinister smile formed on Von's face. He moved his hand to where it hovered over the ugly casualty.
Then he let everything play out as it was destined to happen.
[Congratulations! Minimum requirements fulfilled to unlock Secret (??? Rank) Innate Title!] - [1/1 Monster killed]
{Innate Title: Lord of the Horde (??? Rank)} - [Equipped]
[Innate Ability #1: Hand of Hades (??? Rank)(Lvl 1)] - [Activated]
Von's hand seemed to dip into the River of the Living itself. Purple energies seeped from his palm, before erupting in brilliance.
On the hand, a green flame spawned within the Goblin's corpse. The body started to uncontrollably convulse, doing so for the next few seconds.
However, when the convulsions came to an abrupt end, something unbelievable occurred. Something that would shock any number of Hunters.
"Kaka…"
The Goblin's cackling head reattached to its torso through the stringing of strange purple tendrils.
Those same tendrils wrapped around the Goblin, enveloping it.
Then, bursting out of a countless number of those purple tendrils, the Goblin emerged.
However, it was not the same as when it was alive…
"Hand of Hades… It hasn't changed."
An inexplicable smirk marred Von's features as he watched the once mindless Goblin kneel before him.
In its savagely slitted eyes resided a green fire. The fire burned bright, emitting something sinister.
But even with all the evil contained in those eyes, there also existed an unquestionable willingness to serve.
To serve the being standing before it.
[Goblin (Lvl 1) has been chained to the everlasting Hand of Hades.]
[Horde EXP +1]
[Horde: 1/3] - [EXP: 1/5]
[Notice: (For every hour that a Horde Minion is actively a part of the Horde, Horde EXP is accumulated. This passive Horde EXP accumulation varies based on the level and rank of the Horde Minion.)]
[Reminder: (Horde EXP can also be acquired by assimilating more Minions into your Horde.)]
"During my first life, when I originally discovered this secret Innate Title and Talent after enduring many years of silent suffering, I resurrected a Slime. And now this time, it's a Goblin."
But whether it be a squishy Slime or a hideous Goblin, his Horde had officially embarked on its Path to Infinite Growth.
"Now it's time to truly begin the fun."
Observing the eerily silent forest around him, Von's eyes curved into crescents.
They may believe he couldn't sense them, but he most definitely could.
"It looks like you'll be getting some new friends soon," Von said to the Goblin standing by his side. "But before that, why don't we get our levels up?"
He and his Goblin Minion made the same evil expression. And with the sudden appearance of several aggressive Goblins, they began their onslaught.
Despite the Goblin Minion possessing stats similar to the attacking Goblins, it had a level of rationality they didn't. It was with this semi-intelligence that it was able to easily do away with three Goblins.
A Goblin and its claws.
And a human and a stick.
Greenish-red blood stained the surroundings as these two made light work of over ten low-level Goblins. And amidst the gore, these two stood with bloody appearances.
[Lvl 2 Goblin Slain - EXP +3]
[Lvl 1 Goblin Slain - EXP +2]
[Lvl 1 Goblin Slain - EXP +1]
[Lvl 2…]
[Experience Point Bar has been filled with 10/10 EXP!] - [Level up?]
Von felt no reason to hesitate right now, so he answered yes.
Immediately, a warm energy surged from within his body. It spread throughout every part of him, empowering all aspects of his existence.
[10 EXP used to Level up from 1 → 2]
[EXP needed for next Level-up: 8/50]
[Strength +0.26]
[Agility +0.24]
[Defense +0.23]
[Intelligence +0.22]
[Free Stat Point +1]
"Seeing decimals really depresses me…"
However, everyone must start somewhere.
"It is what it is," he sighed, before his expression hardened as he raised his hand.
That same mysterious purple energy spread out from his hand. After which, green flames emerged from all the Goblin corpses scattered in the area.
No matter the injury they had sustained while still alive, the two strongest among the Goblins returned as completely intact Undead.
[Horde Minions +2]
[Lvl 2 Goblin added to Horde – Horde EXP +3]
[Lvl 2 Goblin added to Horde – Horde EXP +3]
[The everlasting Hand of Hades soaks in the souls of the Chained.]
[You have accumulated 7/5 Horde EXP] - [Level up the Horde?]
Von clicked yes.